ACORN: Big Apple, Big Pimping
posted at 8:48 am on September 14, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
It was just a fluke, ACORN insisted the first time that James O’Keefe and Hannah Giles published their undercover video showing their office in Baltimore helping a pimp evade taxes and get a mortgage by deceit for a brothel. They fired a couple of “bad apples” in that office, and a couple of more bad apples in Washington DC when that office got caught on hidden camera doing the same thing. In fact. ACORN went so far as to brag that the pair had tried the same thing and failed in “San Diego, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia to name a few places.”
Really? New York’s ACORN office was too sophisticated to fall for that scam? The video at Big Government today indicates that ACORN’s Big Apple office is equally as heartless and corrupt as DC and Baltimore, as two of their staffers advise O’Keefe and Giles how to cover up a child-prostitution ring and evade taxes:
When you get a house with a backyard … you get a tin and put the money in it … and bury it.
ACORN has access to billions of dollars in federal funding through Porkulus, and already gets hundreds of millions a year in federal funding through other programs, mainly through HUD. It’s time — it’s well past time — for Congress to suspend any payments to ACORN for any purposes.
One incident may have been a fluke, and two a coincidence, but three times makes a pattern. These aren’t offices in the sticks, either, but offices in some of the most important American cities. Does ACORN train its people on how to screw the American people on income taxes while getting federal funds, or just look to hire the most heartless people in the world to help pimps hide child prostitution rings?
Blowback
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[OldEnglish on September 14, 2009 at 9:48 AM]
Interesting. I noticed when doing searches that it seems ACORN runs all it’s chapters’ pages through one website. That should make cleansing pretty efficient.
Dusty on September 14, 2009 at 9:53 AM
ACORN sure employs some winners in their offices. What’s the requirement to get hired, have a pulse?
Bishop on September 14, 2009 at 9:53 AM
Any RICO action against ACORN will be summarily dismissed by Eric Holder.
Any wagers?
marybel on September 14, 2009 at 9:53 AM
Acorn is hiding here. Copy while it lasts.
faraway on September 14, 2009 at 9:54 AM
Are you now, or have your ever been, living off the public dime?
WashJeff on September 14, 2009 at 9:55 AM
Do gophers eat acorns?
OldEnglish on September 14, 2009 at 9:55 AM
I think that they are the number one source of food for donkeys.
JiyuLife on September 14, 2009 at 9:57 AM
This is bigger than Watergate.
These 2 deserve something bigger than a Pulitzer.
Ed and Allah, the blogs need to unite to create an award for these two. Have a green carpet affair.
faraway on September 14, 2009 at 9:57 AM
Plant acorn!
sonnyspats1 on September 14, 2009 at 9:57 AM
ACORN is corrupt. It is soaked in corruption. Obama knew it and gave it a boost when he worked there.
It will take more and more of this before the MSM investigates. They are incredibly fearfull of being charged with racism.
Using children as human shileds. doing it for the kids. somehow that won’t work with child sex abuse business plans.
seven on September 14, 2009 at 9:57 AM
The only thing to do to stop these charades is expose the fraud with the taxpayers dollars they receive. Watch out for a name change and a temporary cover-up becasue they are not going to go away that easy.
TURN UP THE HEAT GLEN BECK
bluegrass on September 14, 2009 at 9:59 AM
Who the hell is helping them write their material?
misslizzi on September 14, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Come on. Anyone can see those videos are computer animated or holograms or something. Does the right wing really think it can Photoshop itself back into the White House. Next you’ll be telling us that Hussein’s cousin is a murdering Marxist dictator in Africa.
Sharke on September 14, 2009 at 10:01 AM
OKeefe and Giles:
Doing the work the rest of the media won’t do.
These kids are sealing their place in history and seem to be playing it awfully well.
ted c on September 14, 2009 at 10:02 AM
They, of course, do both… in addition to a lot worse which we’ve discussed before. As to these particular criminal enterprises, you’ve
got to understand the Acorn mindset:
Tax evasion, no problem. All them rich people do it. We just helpin’ po’ folk do the same.
Underage prostitution by illegals. What’s the big deal? These girls gonna do it anyway. We just helpin’ ‘em stay off the streets, puttin’ ‘em in a nice little home to do they work. And when they get a li’l older, we register ‘em to vote. We’d be heartless if we didn’t help.
This is the very essence of community organizing, Obama/Alinsky style.
The ACORN way. Build and nurture an entirely alternate culture, and keep its members down and outside of the mainstream. And multiply this population over time until established institutions are overwhelmed.
A revolution from within, without bullets.
TXUS on September 14, 2009 at 10:02 AM
my only question is why didn’t the republicans defund this organization, along with planned parenthood, and every other left-wing group that gets our tax money???
right4life on September 14, 2009 at 10:02 AM
Their website has crashed, and crashed hard.
JiyuLife on September 14, 2009 at 10:02 AM
ACORN is trying to screw the American people (both honest taxpayers and low-life johns) in more ways than one.
Steve Z on September 14, 2009 at 10:02 AM
Who knew investigative reporting could be so exciting?! Or that anyone knew how to do it anymore? I can’t recall ever seeing anything like this come from the MSM.
Talk about great Americans – and great reporters! O’Keefe & Giles show us all how it’s done.
perries on September 14, 2009 at 10:02 AM
pretty much. and then scream and play the race card any time they are caught. sadly, it’s worked for them up till now, and it may continue to work for them in the future.
I think the jury’s still out on whether these videos will reach anybody outside of the Glenn Beck audience.
funky chicken on September 14, 2009 at 10:03 AM
as Dan Rather said succinctly….”Courage, courage…”
ted c on September 14, 2009 at 10:03 AM
Ladies and Gentlemen. I think that Acorn has just struck out. The NY story is the last strike~ now it is time for all Assistance to be stopped, and return all monies.
hawkman on September 14, 2009 at 10:04 AM
I am just amazed
Two women, sitting there……. aren’t either of them a mother themselves?!?
Did it ever occur to them to say, at some point in this, “Child, what the hell are you doing, getting involved with a sum pimp like this? Let me call the police and tell them to come hall this man away”
But, instead, they continue to help the pimp.
UFB
ToddonCapeCod on September 14, 2009 at 10:04 AM
I don’t think it’s simply wishful thinking.
Man hates injustice.
Man practices injustice to get his means.
Man in some moments acts cowardly.
Man in some moments acts bravely.
And each of these traits are not isolated to a single political viewpoint.
A former supervisor who I greatly respected used to say, “I expect the worst in people but hope for the best.”
I think many true journalists are in the closet right now. I don’t know the details but I know that John Stossel has left ABC to go to FOX. I can only guess why. Those media services are currently hurting in the wallet. Even if they get government bailouts they’ll continue to hurt.
shick on September 14, 2009 at 10:05 AM
These tactics were pretty audacious. Fortunately, these toolbags at ACORN are too stupid to recognize a ruse when it smacks them in the face. No wonder they voted for Obama. ACORN’s not this monolithic presence. It’s obviously staffed by idiots and baby mammas who are frauds, tax cheats and protected by guys like Obama. All race aside, fraud is fraud.
ted c on September 14, 2009 at 10:05 AM
Probably this harmless little fuzzball:
Lisa Fithian
More about her and the inner workings of ACORN here:
Pulling Back the Curtain on ACORN
Fletch54 on September 14, 2009 at 10:05 AM
A pulse, but no heart.
Steve Z on September 14, 2009 at 10:05 AM
Yep, bigger corruption in almost every way. Heh, and just wait ’til we get into the coverups… who is covering up what.
It’s a race to get the truth out before they shut us down.
petefrt on September 14, 2009 at 10:05 AM
Yeah. But how can you have a pulse if you don’t have a heart.
We are talking about child prostitution. But with a DoJ in MackDaddy’ house, nothing will happen.
davidk on September 14, 2009 at 10:05 AM
I’m sorry but I don’t get it.
shick on September 14, 2009 at 10:06 AM
They make it look so easy!
misslizzi on September 14, 2009 at 10:06 AM
All this publicity must be making acorn violent. I took the trash out yesterday and an acorn hit me on the head.
becki51758 on September 14, 2009 at 10:06 AM
shick: Pat Fitzgerald. AG who outed Blago, now hasn’t been heard from since.
ted c on September 14, 2009 at 10:06 AM
I wonder how many people this film will inspire. Maybe we will see some investigative journalism outside of blogs.
JiyuLife on September 14, 2009 at 10:08 AM
Those kids are two of the best journalists in American media. Keep them in your prayers.
pugwriter on September 14, 2009 at 10:08 AM
Beck isn’t devoting much time to the New York video today because he said tomorrow will blow this away.
Pass the popcorn, please.
VibrioCocci on September 14, 2009 at 10:08 AM
My mom used to call it a ‘thumpin’ gizzard’.
thomasaur on September 14, 2009 at 10:10 AM
Da na da da daaaaa! I’m lovin’ it.
schafkopf on September 14, 2009 at 10:11 AM
Hanna makes the Fox line about being “unafraid” seem rather timid.
faraway on September 14, 2009 at 10:12 AM
ACORN is the Democrats new KKK plantation, without the terror.
tarpon on September 14, 2009 at 10:12 AM
Kudos, congratulations, and a big thanks to O’Keefe & Giles. We need more like them to teach the liberally indoctrinated about corruption and criminals, since they’re too busy holding hands and singing. I am looking forward to a new video every few days!
Nalea on September 14, 2009 at 10:13 AM
Obama: “I am not a crook”
faraway on September 14, 2009 at 10:14 AM
I stand corrected…
I guess Pimpin’ is easy… with ACORN’s help.
Wolftech on September 14, 2009 at 10:15 AM
O’Keefe & Giles: World’s Greatest Investigative Reporters
faraway on September 14, 2009 at 10:15 AM
3rd time
royzer on September 14, 2009 at 10:16 AM
Beer summit anyone? I think BO and his ACORN allegiance were just schooled with several teaching moments with mor aon the way!
jbh45 on September 14, 2009 at 10:18 AM
These “whacky kids” are playing ACORN like a fiddle, giving them just enough time after every release to make fools of themselves. Is Carl Rove behind this?
Mr_Magoo on September 14, 2009 at 10:18 AM
Giles and O’Keefe have given ACORN enough rope to hang themselves with. They took the whole thing and used it.
Boom!
ted c on September 14, 2009 at 10:19 AM
Where is Al Gore on this? The environmental impact of Acorn’s paper shredders most be horrifying by now!
aikidoka on September 14, 2009 at 10:19 AM
Whoever is planning the release of these videos is a genius. I just hope there is plenty more where this came from.
JiyuLife on September 14, 2009 at 10:19 AM
ACORN’s web site overloaded?
Error 503 Service Unavailable
Service Unavailable
Guru Meditation:
XID: 1732025442
Varnish
Mr_Magoo on September 14, 2009 at 10:20 AM
I wonder what the “carbon footprint” of the shredder is. Will they “cap” or “tax”?
JiyuLife on September 14, 2009 at 10:21 AM
Dude, you got that sh!t down!
Oh, yeah, RACIST!
Gang-of-One on September 14, 2009 at 10:22 AM
Representative Steve King in on Fox right now blasting ACORN with both barrels of his 8 gauge shotgun, demanding a federal investigation, both criminally and with the IRS. King represents me, and I have spoken to him several times. Hated by libs, loved by conservatives, you could not meet a guy more down to earth and willing to talk to the people he represents.
Go Steve! Keep ACORN in your sights and blast them out of existence.
kam582 on September 14, 2009 at 10:23 AM
They are busy scrubbing the site.
You can still copy stuff from this version
faraway on September 14, 2009 at 10:24 AM
Nothing on MSNBC.com or CNN.com.
Oops! There it is at the top of Fox News!
(Those right-wing Obama-haters!)
Mr_Magoo on September 14, 2009 at 10:24 AM
3rd time is a charm.
Investigate ACORN! What are the Dems waiting for?? The GOP has been calling for hearings and investigations of ACORN, yet the Democrat leadership hasn’t made a move. Democrat Cover-up??
TN Mom on September 14, 2009 at 10:27 AM
By crashed you mean being scrubbed. Big Bertha is on the phone to Eric Schmidt to have cache dumped as well.
Caper29 on September 14, 2009 at 10:27 AM
He says to contact Obama! Lets overload his e-mail!!
becki51758 on September 14, 2009 at 10:27 AM
The question is, how many more before the MSM picks it up?
They are now is a really difficult position. Having ignored the obvious, if they begin reporting now, they will look like they have been completely out of touch.
The problem is, in their hearts, they support ACORN, these are liberal journalists raised and educated to support liberal ideals…anything liberal.
We can’t wait for the liberals to change, a mistake often made by conservatives, thinking that liberals will at some time actually be truthful, or at least see even the most egregious (as this scandal is)…but they won’t.
Hence, Fox news will continue to dominate…
right2bright on September 14, 2009 at 10:28 AM
ACORN site is back up.
They scrubbed the “Contact” section with addresses and phone numbers.
They had already scrubbed the “Locations” section.
faraway on September 14, 2009 at 10:28 AM
Let me get this straight, we are paying how much for this?
JiyuLife on September 14, 2009 at 10:29 AM
Suprise it’s on MSNBC
Caper29 on September 14, 2009 at 10:29 AM
The DOJ should investigate ACORN right after someone investigates the DOJ.
Every mortgage these people have been involved with should immediately be investigated. These thieves are inflating the same housing bubble that has almost destroyed this country. Anyone with any connection with this band of hooligans should be slammed into prison for fraud, especially if that person is funneling billions into this criminal activity!
joedoe on September 14, 2009 at 10:30 AM
Make your efforts count! Contact your Senators and House rep! Demand ACORN federal/state funding immediately be stopped and an independent investigation started! Then contact them every day you don’t see action!
Mr_Magoo on September 14, 2009 at 10:30 AM
Acorn is back up.
Guess they had to add a bunch of donate buttons. Wish I could donate -1,000,000 bucks.
misslizzi on September 14, 2009 at 10:31 AM
Can I get free health insurance to go along with my new Ho House?
joedoe on September 14, 2009 at 10:32 AM
Why isn’t the IRS all over these asshats?
Caper29 on September 14, 2009 at 10:32 AM
Surprise. I did not see it on their home page which is where casual viewers browse. If you have to dig for it, doesn’t count IMO.
Mr_Magoo on September 14, 2009 at 10:33 AM
joedoe on September 14, 2009 at 10:32 AM
and a big backyahhd to bury those tax dollaaas…
ted c on September 14, 2009 at 10:33 AM
HB 1388 just passed undercover, ACORN will open up under another name with immigrants from Gaza, all paid for with our taxpayer money. These sleazebags will never stop until our country is destoyed. God help us all.
concernedsenior on September 14, 2009 at 10:34 AM
Emails sent to my sen, rep and wh. I’ll send them everyday!
This is the ugly face of acorn!
I loved that man following acorn thru the streets of washington yelling that.
becki51758 on September 14, 2009 at 10:34 AM
haha, it’s only on the local page. I guess they dont consider this national news.
faraway on September 14, 2009 at 10:34 AM
For sure! Please, someone tell me. Why are so many conservative women truly funny (at least here at HA), while lib women just foam at the mouth?
Gang-of-One on September 14, 2009 at 10:34 AM
I agree. The “suprise” was for me. It came up when I binged ACORN. It didn’t come up when I googled ACORN, however.
Caper29 on September 14, 2009 at 10:35 AM
Consider it a metaphor.
highhopes on September 14, 2009 at 10:35 AM
We’re not bitter.
becki51758 on September 14, 2009 at 10:35 AM
I tried to look up “acorn” on Google news and I got:
Server Error
The service you requested is not available yet.
Please try again in 30 seconds.
faraway on September 14, 2009 at 10:37 AM
Ezra Levant coined a phrase for his fight with the HRCs in Canada that fits this to a T.
Fire.Them.All.
Jim708 on September 14, 2009 at 10:37 AM
Probably the MSM trying to figure out who ACORN is. This is the first they have heard of them.
JiyuLife on September 14, 2009 at 10:38 AM
Free enterprise baby.
To think ACORN is leading the way!
Mr. Joe on September 14, 2009 at 10:38 AM
That’s right. Thanks for the reminder. LOL
shick on September 14, 2009 at 10:40 AM
Homesteading= SWAT teams to go out and keep the deadbeat low-life scum in houses they don’t have any right to be occupying. What kind of “trainings” are necessary to become a street thug? Just follow the example of the filthy liar in the White House.
I hope the drumbeat for this story keeps moving forward at this glacial pace so that there is nothing but charred ruins at the end of the day.
highhopes on September 14, 2009 at 10:41 AM
Lots of good stories on http://www.BigGovernment.com the past few days re: ACORN. Be sure to read the one by Brandon Darby about Common Ground’s experience after Katrina.
Mr_Magoo on September 14, 2009 at 10:41 AM
If so many offices were visited, WHY WEREN’T POLICE CALLED?
ACORN now has to be wondering “How many more tapes are out there?”
GarandFan on September 14, 2009 at 10:43 AM
Did anyone here copy the list of ACORN locations?
faraway on September 14, 2009 at 10:43 AM
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
davidk on September 14, 2009 at 10:43 AM
That is why we wait until Obama & Holder are history to bring the hammer down. I will raise your CIA investigation, here is ACORN…call….
izoneguy on September 14, 2009 at 10:43 AM
They have to show them how to properly become a street thug and keep rightful owners from their property, of course. Then there is brainwashing sessions so that they don’t realize how they are doing someone else’s dirt work.
boom….boom….boom…boom…
na na, na na na na, hey hey hey…
JiyuLife on September 14, 2009 at 10:45 AM
Canada Free Press has a real-time ticker at the top of their page:
Countdown until Obama leaves Office
1224 Days, 03 Hours, 16 Minutes, 38 Seconds
Now that is COM-E-DY!
Mr_Magoo on September 14, 2009 at 10:45 AM
I’m sorry, I’m sorry…. I can’t get past 14 seconds into the video, so I’ll take everyone’s word that all these other things were said…..
Hannah, marry me!!!!
KMC1 on September 14, 2009 at 10:45 AM
Oh! I’d love to hear that defense get played up in the court of public opinion. ACORN is giving advice on human trafficking of children in the name of free enterprise!
highhopes on September 14, 2009 at 10:45 AM
Yep. I am thinking ACORN will be changing it’s name very soon.
bridgetown on September 14, 2009 at 10:45 AM
And by supporting continued funding for ACORN, your REPS are complicit in the child-sex slavery trade as well – LET THEM HEAR ABOUT IT!
Fishoutofwater on September 14, 2009 at 10:50 AM
And how to best dispose of the paper/electronic trail if they get investigated. Buy stock in shredder companies today because there is going to be a whole purging going on tonight.
highhopes on September 14, 2009 at 10:54 AM
biggovernment.com is publishing an Acorn internal quasi-employee manual
RushBaby on September 14, 2009 at 10:55 AM
Supposedly they already did back in June to “Community Organizations International” but I guess it didn’t take or nobody was buying the idea that re-branding was going to be that simple. At the very minimum (and I do mean minimum) the organization’s leaders need to be frog-marched into a grand jury.
highhopes on September 14, 2009 at 10:57 AM
We should have a contest as to the best new name, and slogan for ACORN.
MAMI…mine all mine, inc.
right2bright on September 14, 2009 at 10:57 AM
What list?
misslizzi on September 14, 2009 at 10:59 AM
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